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Post by Epesi on Jun 8, 2011 1:19:37 GMT -5
Savik listens to the story, at first just in the interest of gathering information on a potential threat, then with surprise at this new side of Vetus, and increasing sympathy for him. She's never had children of her own, but having a loved one killed is something Savik can relate to.
"I'm sorry, Vetus," she says, softly but with feeling. She's not sure what else to say or do, however, having little experience in giving condolences. "When did all of this happen?"
---
Koda gets the sense that he's not welcome here underneath Roanoke. Being so used as he is to the amiable Rutt and Tuke, the rejection kind of stings. He steps aside, out from under the moose, but on the opposite side from Kenai. He still has no intention of leaving.
Kenai stifles a frustrated growl. Before he can do anything else, the troodon's outburst sends his heart leaping into his throat, and he whips around to face him, ears pinned back. Never one to back down first in a shouting match, he's ready to strike back with some choice words of his own, but that name catches him so off-guard that he forgets himself and sputters, "S-Sitka?"
As soon as he's said it, he feels like an idiot for being so surprised. Of course EP doesn't mean the same Sitka! It's not as if his brother was the only one in the world with that name; there could be lots of other Sitkas. There'd been two Chilkoots, after all...
"Er, who's Sitka?" He asks in a much calmer tone, trying to cover for himself.
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Post by Ken'ichi on Jun 8, 2011 22:26:01 GMT -5
He gritted his teeth as he narrowed his eyes, trying his best to suppress his growl as EbonyPatriot yells at him about abandoning his brother. It stung hearing that, the thought that he might in fact turning his back on family for safety.
But it isn't like he turned tail on him just like that. In fact, he tried to get him to come along with him to a new world. But he decided he'd rather stay in their home land rather than migrate to another territory to call home, never letting predators and danger chase him away from their home.
"I would never..." He began to growl, but soon found himself quiet again when the Trodoon's attention swerved to the bear, mentioning a name that got the bear's interest if only for just a second.
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Post by EbonyPatriot on Jun 9, 2011 0:06:14 GMT -5
"It was a month before I met EbonyPatriot," replies Vetus softly, not looking at Savik. "Savik, I need your help," whispers Vetus, fire-red eyes looking into the sabretooth's. "While we're fighting Tazer, I plan to look for my cubs as well. Will you help me?" "I will," says Sollew softly. Vetus smiles and licks the top of her head. --- Roanoke, content now that the cub has moved, looks at the beast. The muscles in his legs tense, prepared to run if need be. EbonyPatriot, already regreting his lose of temper, takes a few deep breaths before continuing. "Sitka's a Bald Eagle, the spirit of a man. I thought you knew that; he mentioned you and Denahi. "Sitka was the first one I met when I came to this region, even before Ken'ichi and Nikiski." EbonyPatriot pauses and looks at Ken'ichi before turning back to Kenai and continuing. "In fact, Sitka's the one who told me to come back." OOC: Heh, in the first post, Sitka does mention Kenai and Denahi. I wasn't sure if EbonyPatriot should remember that or not.
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Post by Epesi on Jun 9, 2011 1:44:13 GMT -5
OOC: I remember that. I don't see why not.
Hope I'm not going too over-the-top here with Kenai... ^^; Savik hesitates a moment. How can they carry out their mission of stopping Tazer if they're running around looking for lost cubs, cubs who could be anywhere -- who could be dead? But if they're still alive, with Nebula stalking them, time may be critical. "I will do whatever I can to help, Vetus," she says carefully. "But I can't be everywhere at once. I will join your search if I can, but I can't promise it." --- Upon hearing the troodon's reply, unmistakably describing his brother, Kenai looks like he's been struck; a storm of conflicting emotions prevents him from regaining his composure this time. He hasn't seen Sitka's spirit since that day on the mountain -- every eagle he's glimpsed since then has made him wonder, but he's never been sure. And he hasn't spoken with his brother, save for in dreams, since the day he died. "Y-you...you've seen him, he's...talked to you?" he chokes out, shivering slightly. After the initial shock, the full implications begin to sink in. Sitka has guided the pack from the start, even before Kenai got involved. Now he's trying to get them back together. "See, Kenai?" Koda pipes up again. "We have to help." Kenai looks at Koda in surprise, having all but forgotten everyone else is still here. "I don't understand," he says softly, still in a state of shock. "Why did Sitka come to you, but not me? He's...he's my brother..."
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Post by Ken'ichi on Jun 12, 2011 22:37:11 GMT -5
"..."
The young bear had apparently lost interest very quickly, if stepping away from the group was of any indication to the gang. In fact, the mention of Nikiski was exactly why he had to step away from them.
His own brother's absence was one of many reasons for his bitterness. He didn't know what became of him, and many a search came up with nothing but empty news and depression. Ken'ichi didn't want to lose hope, that his brother was actually somewhere out there, looking for him too.
The rain only served as a clear reminder of the holes in his heart, and he once asked himself if he was finally hollow, the light in his spirit forever extinguished. 'That wolverine destroyed it, didn't it?' he thought to himself.
'Should I go along with them?' He began to wonder as he turned to face the others again. 'If anything, maybe I'll find a sign, anything, that'll tell me if Niki is still alive...Hey, false hope is running rampant these days. What's one more?'
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Post by EbonyPatriot on Jun 13, 2011 0:38:20 GMT -5
OOC: Eep sorry for the late reply; I haven’t been feeling well lately. BIC: For a second Vetus is prepared to snarl; but within that second Vetus sighs. “Thank you, Savik. I worry about them so much. That wretched Nebula…” With a snarl the Cave Lion continues, “You can’t trust her. Watch out for her: Nebula’s mahogany-colored, with blue-gray on the tip of her fur. ” --- “Sitka told me he was watching you three,” replies EbonyPatriot cautiously. “I’ve only talked to him three times: before I met Ken’ichi when he told me that I would find help, to warn me of the traitors in our Pack, and right before I found you guys again. Sitka said I couldn’t stay away any longer; I couldn’t leave my friends to face Tazer alone. Oh and he warned Ken’ichi about Tazer, too.” Roanoke snorts and takes a step back as Ken’ichi looks at the beasts; the moose still doesn’t trust these friends of Kenai and Koda. Uneasily, torn between watching this drama and leaving to find Dulcis, Roanoke coughs. “Did this Sitka say Kenai needed to face Tazer too?” “Well…no,” sighs EbonyPatriot. “Sitka only said perhaps I would find Kenai.”
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Post by Epesi on Jun 15, 2011 1:31:43 GMT -5
OOC: It's all right, EP. Sorry this took a while, too. I hope you feel better. Committing Nebula's description to memory, Savik nods. "I'll keep an eye out. She won't fool me." --- Kenai's shock gradually subsides, though he still feels shaken. So many questions run through his mind; he'd thought only a shaman could talk to spirits, at least under normal circumstances. But since his transformation, he's seen many things he never thought possible, and once again he is reminded that there is much he has yet to learn. More importantly, with this revelation, how can he turn away from the Pack? Sitka may not have said that he'd have to fight, but just knowing that his brother is involved makes this conflict suddenly personal to Kenai. Feeling a little ashamed, he wonders what Sitka thinks of his attempt to run away from all of this. And though he's told himself it was for Koda's protection that he refused, he wonders whether it had more to do with his own fear. Could he really protect Koda on his own, if Tazer came for them? "Okay," he says at last, making up his mind with a heavy sigh. "I'll help." Koda gives a cheer and leaps from his hiding place, bounding in a wide arc past Roanoke and back toward Kenai. Halfway there, he catches sight of Ken'ichi and skids to a stop. He takes a few cautious steps toward him. "Are you...are you still gonna leave, Ken'ichi?"
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Post by Ken'ichi on Jun 15, 2011 21:47:21 GMT -5
"oh, um, uhhh..." Ken'ichi turned his head away, absently scratching his mane as he averted his eyes and attention from Koda. He was mildly surprised the cub's attention went back to him so quick, seeing how the conversation's focus was on Kenai and this Sitka EP kept talking about.
"N-No, I'm uhhh...I changed my mind," he finally responded, awkwardly keeping his head turned away. "I'll stick around. At least for a while, I mean."
Maybe if he follows them he might discover something, anything that he might've missed, about Nikiski's whereabouts. 'Oy, Kamali's gonna get a kick out of this...'
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Post by EbonyPatriot on Jun 19, 2011 1:16:58 GMT -5
OOC: Thanks Epesi. I'm still not feeling well; sorry for the late reply. BIC: Vetus sighs. Perhaps with Savik, Nebula will be captured and Leucaspis and Caesius... "My cubs are ten months old. Leucaspis and Caesius are blue-gray, with gold and white markings," the Cave Lions says softly. Sollew sighs softly. Perhaps it would have been better to be with Aurum and Argentum... --- Kalone, a young caribou cow, nervously watches the two cats approach; too far to catch their scent, but approaching closer. Ears back, she turns to Tuque. "Tuktu, look." Kemano flattens his ears as Tuque lopes to Kalone. The three young caribou, one cow and two bulls, are feeding some distance from the rest of the herd. Kemano had intended to try and woo Kalone; but with Tuque being preferred... Kemano walks closer to Kaloen, beating the gray Tuque, "What do you need?" Kalone looks briefly at Kemano, holding her tongue until Tuque shyly walks around the brown Kemano. "Should we warn the herd?" "Well," says Tuque, watching the cats as well. "Perhaps... But if they're my Dad's friends..." Kemano snorts and runs off to the cats. Startled, Tuque and Kalone follow. "Kemano!" Kemano smiles at Kalone's concern. That's better. Now then, to show off his bravery! Kemano slows his stride as he approches, ears flattening. "I remember you!" Kemano calls, unable to keep still. "You're the beasts that killed Keno. Kalone, these are the beasts I told you about, the ones that killed your sire!" Kalone screeches to a stop, ears back. Kemano winces and lowers his head, regreting his rashness at her sorrow. Tuque shyly walks in front of Kalone, his own heart pounding. "Are you the beasts that killed Keno? Are you Tyonek's friends?" --- EbonyPatriot sighs. It will all be okay; the Pack is reforming. "I'm happy to hear that. With you guys, Tazer won't win this time." The Troodon nervously looks up at a clap of loud thunder and continues. "We must find the rest of the Pack. Ken'ichi, where's Kamali and Nikiski?" Roanoke sighs as well. Fun's over. The moose too looks up at the clap of thunder, ears up. ---- Turgor rides the storm winds, trying to keep his mind off of Ring-Of-Fire- for when he is not thinking of his brother, these days? “Like I told Kapvik,” mutters Turgor. “Ring-Of-Fire would have died anyway, if my parents had taken better care of themselves. It’s not my fault…” The Thunderbird screeches to halt, alula spreads as he tries to hover, fire-red eyes focused on the scene below. “Why it’s EbonyPatriot! There’s Ken’ichi and Kenai too!” Smiling, eager for a chance to vent, Turgor dives, clacking his beak to produce the lightning to see better. Suddenly Turgor pulls out of his dive, alula spread once more. “No…I’ll tell Tazer…” (The Thunderbird, fierce as he is, isn’t keen to fight the Pack, less Ring-Of-Fire be hiding in the bushes or worst, Ion and Alkali). With that, Turgor rides the storm winds out of the woods, heading for Sokuyôn’s land.
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Post by Epesi on Jun 19, 2011 22:43:16 GMT -5
Preoccupied with Vetus' descriptions, Savik doesn't notice they're within sight of the herd until a trio of caribou come galloping towards them. Fearing a charge, Savik tenses, prepared to bolt out of the way; she relaxes only partially when the male in front slows his stride.
When he speaks, Savik remembers this young bull from the day of her first hunt with the Pack. Seeing Kalone's sadness, Savik feels something close to guilt; she's not used to knowing the names or meeting the offspring of her kills. She wonders if the cow knows that it was she who delivered the finishing bite.
She feels a little less uncomfortable when Tuque steps forward, recognizing him as Tyonek's second in command.
"Yes, that's us," she replies, with a cautious glance at Kemano. "How is Tyonek? Does he still lead the herd?"
---
"All right!" Koda cheers again, full of renewed excitement. "I knew you'd come around! The Pack just wouldn't be the same without you, Ken'ichi."
As EP talks about finding the others, Kenai feels useless already; he has no clue where to find anyone. The sudden thunderclap makes him shudder again, a little harder this time, and like the others he looks skyward. He half-expects to see the Thunderbird there, like something out of a nightmare, and for a moment he thinks that he does -- but no, it was just the rain. He dismisses it.
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Post by Ken'ichi on Jun 20, 2011 18:31:46 GMT -5
"Kamali's..." Ken'ichi mutters, toying with a strand of fur on his head. "I don't know, but he should be around here somewhere...Maybe back home..."
As he talked the bear tried to veer his attention - And the other's for that matter - away from Nikiski's whereabouts. He just doesn't know where he is to say...
"Definitely home in this weather," he added as he winced from the incoming thunder. He hated thunder, now more than ever. But the thought of going back home to his brother...Ken'ichi wishes he would've left home sooner just so he wouldn't have to bump into these characters and return after that little scene.
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Post by EbonyPatriot on Aug 9, 2011 0:40:18 GMT -5
OOC: Eep this is even later; sorry about that guys. BIC: "Well, yes," replies Tuque. "Tyonek is still chief, if that's what you're asking..." "See, the chief is the caribou that helps with the herd," interrupts Kemano. "Helping settle problems in the herd, walking point, protecing the fawns, etc. Of course Tyonek's still chief; besides Tuque's uncle, no caribou wants that job. No, it's best to be the dominant stag: you get the best feeding and resting places, plus you get to tell the herd what to do. Keno was the dominant male until recently. Tuque's stuck being chief; but not me, I'm going to be the dominant stag. And unlike Keno, I'm not going to let you guys eat me, and what is it Tuque?" snaps Kemano, ears pinned first in rage, the regret as Tuque turns to the softly sobbing Kalone. "I'm sorry Kalone." Vetus perks out of his misery for Aerugo long enough to glance at Savik. Kalone sighs and lifts her head. "No, no, that's okay. Keno wasn't much of a sire anyway, not like Tyonek." Kemano's scoff causes Kalone to whip in the bull's direction, ears back. Tuque nervously steps closer. "I apologize for not introducing myself formally. I am Tuktu, by Tyonek out of Minto." Their attention turned, Kalone too says "Kalone, by Keno out of Toksook." "Kemano, by Zarembo out of Kaslo." "I'm Vetus, and this cub is my adopted daughter Sollew," says the cave lion. The caribou flick their ears back; like Vetus, they find this exchange unusual. (Had Sollew been older, she would have been able to tell Vetus that caribou, like lynx, formelly introduce themselves by giving their names following by the names of their parents and avoid this faux pas). Tuque turns to Savik, wondering if her response will be a faux pas as well. "I'm not sure where Dad is. Mom might know; I mean, Minto might know. I can take you to her, if you like." __________________________________________________ EbonyPatriot smiles. "Let's go find Kamali then. Can you lead us there, Ken'ichi?" Roanoke, thinking about the thunderclap, turns to the beasts, ears still tilted at the strange beast.
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Post by Ken'ichi on Aug 14, 2011 21:45:49 GMT -5
(OOC: Good to see you back, EP. ;D )
'Great...' Ken'ichi had to suppress a growl from EP's request. Lead them to Kamali? He'd rather be chased by a hunter in his roaring rampage of revenge than to see him again. They haven't been on good terms for months, it was one of his reasons to just up and leave to another territory.
'Darn it, why can't you just sniff him out or something?" was what Ken'ichi wanted to tell them, to just take a hike and find him themselves. But he wasn't going to get away that easily, so might as well get this over with.
"Fine fine," he grumbled as he rubbed his shoulder one more time before taking off at a slow pace. "Let's go, just follow me."
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Post by EbonyPatriot on Aug 14, 2011 23:46:17 GMT -5
OOC: Ah thanks Ken'cihi. ^_^ It's great to be back.
BIC: EbonyPatriot twists his head to one side, unsure about Ken'ichi's pace: is the cub in too mcuh pain to walk faster, or still unhappy about the Pack? Ah well. The troodon trots to Ken'ichi's shoulder, happy to be on the way to Kamali. "Come on, Kenai and Koda!"
Roanoke sighs and starts to turn. "Very well, then. If you see Rutt and Tuke or my mate and we run into each other, let me know. Good-bye." With that Roanoke lopes off, ice-white legs striking out proudly in stride. "Oh, and watch out for Thunderbirds. I've seen two females around recently, a golden one with a black mask and blue-gray one with a black mask," the stag adds, not bothering to look back as continues to leave.
EbonyPatriot shivers. "Let's find Kamali as soon as we can," he says, pupils dilating with fear. The sooner we get the Pack together, the better."
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Post by Epesi on Aug 15, 2011 17:11:48 GMT -5
OOC: Aah, I didn't see that you had posted again last week! Welcome back, EP! Savik listens in mild bemusement as she finds herself receiving a lesson on the governance of a caribou herd; she had assumed Tyonek was to his herd roughly what Vetus is to his pride. Still, whatever it is Tyonek does, at least they now know that he's still doing it. The awkward, guilty feeling grows when she picks up Kalone's quiet sobbing. Savik returns Vetus's glance, wondering if this encounter is as uncomfortable for him as it is for her. She briefly considers offering some kind of consoling words -- but what would she say? A simple sorry for your loss doesn't seem quite appropriate when you happen to have eaten the dearly departed. She's relieved when the subject turns to introductions. "Savik," she says simply with a slight bow of the head, seeing no need to give more information than that, and not quite picking up on the expectations of the caribou. She nods once at Tuktu's offer. "We'd appreciate it. We need to speak with your father regarding his friend EbonyPatriot, and the Pack." --- Kenai gives Roanoke little more than a nod, acknowledging his request, as they turn to go their separate ways. At the stag's parting words, however, Kenai's ears snap back and his eyes go wide. Thunderbirds? Even more of them? Are they as bad as Turgor? Are they worse? EP's evident fear compounds his worries, and the thought of the Pack doesn't really make him feel any better -- even if they get everyone back together and more, how can they defend themselves against Thunderbirds? Koda bounds after the two black-furred creatures, unfazed by Roanoke's warning; he's just thrilled to finally be moving again, the newly reformed Pack on their way to...well, someplace, anyway. He moves to Ken'ichi's other shoulder, though in his excitement it's a bit of a struggle keeping himself to the other bear's slow pace -- he keeps getting ahead and having to stop and wait for a few steps. "I can't wait to see Kamali again, it feels like it's been for ever! How's he been? Is he as grouchy as you are? I mean, sorry, no offense -- but you are pretty grouchy. It's okay, Kenai gets like that too, especially when it's raining like this. Or when he's hungry. Or when he's tired. Or when he's done something dumb, but he doesn't want to admit it. Or when..." Kenai's too preoccupied with his fear of Thunderbirds to try to stop Koda's rambling, and the cub doesn't seem to have picked up on Ken'ichi's reluctance to see his brother, so he keeps going.
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